Everton player set for talks over exit as ‘huge problem’ arises for the Friedkin Group | OneFootball

Everton defender Michael Keane is likely to leave the club on a free transfer next summer.

According to Paul Joyce of The Times, the Toffees defender is set to enter talks with several foreign clubs in January.

The 31-year-old defender could move to any Premier League club next summer, but he will have to wait until the end of the season to negotiate any deal.

Several clubs in Serie A and Major League Soccer are showing interest in Keane.

The centre-back has made nine starts in the Premier League this season, scoring two goals.

Huge problem for the Friedkin Group

Keane joined Everton from Burnley for £25 million in 2017 and has made over 220 appearances at the club.

Everton have decided not to offer him a new contract, which means he is set to end his eight-year stay at Everton.

The defender, who will turn 32 next month, has been dropped by Sean Dyche in recent games to make room for Jarrad Branthwaite.

With several clubs looking to initiate talks about signing Keane for free, his exit looks inevitable now.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ashley Young, Seamus Coleman, Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure and goalkeepers Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia will also be free agents at the end of the season.

Jesper Lindstrom, Orel Mangala, Jack Harrison and Armando Broja are on loans, and it is unclear what Everton will do with them.

It is a ‘huge problem’ for the prospective new owners, the Friedkin Group, who are expected to take control of the club within the next two weeks.

Dyche has Jake O’Brien as another option in defence, but he has barely used the 23-year-old who arrived from Lyon in a £16.4 million deal.

Everton are winless in their last five games and they will need to pick up all three points when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on Wednesday.